Jazz Notes, Jazz Conversations and more - The Music Continuum CIC Episode 11 - Simon Spillett

Episode 11 is brought to you by the Music Continuum CIC and features a conversation with British saxophonist and band leader Simon Spillett ahead of a performance at the Wigan International Jazz Festival on Friday 8th July 2022 featuring his newly formed big band.

As one of the Festival headliners Simon’s big band will perform music from the repertoire of the great British saxophonist Tubby Hayes. As a world authority on the music of Tubby Hayes Simon & his big band will provide a rare opportunity to hear compositions and arrangements from this amazing body of work, including recently rediscovered arrangements of classics by UK jazz legend Tubby Hayes, Jimmy Deuchar, Harry South and Peter King, many of which haven’t been heard in public for over fifty-five years. Hard swing and infectious enthusiasm are the band’s calling cards, making their in-person appearances a powerful reminder of the core qualities of big band jazz

Launched to great acclaim in 2020, the Simon Spillett Big Band is jam-packed with A-List jazz talent, many of whom are respected bandleaders and soloists in their own right.The personnel is: 

Nathan Bray, Mark Armstrong, George Hogg, Freddie Gavita (Trumpets)
 Mark Nightingale, Ian Bateman, Andy Flaxman, Pete North (Trombones)
 Sammy Mayne, Pete Long, Rob Fowler, Karen Sharp, Alan Barnes (Saxes)
 Rob Barron (Piano) Alec Dankworth (Bass) Pete Cater (Drums)

Simon Spillett has recorded three albums, all of which have received highly favourable reviews in the jazz and mainstream press, his 2008 album Sienna Red winning Jazz Journal magazine's Album of the Year. Introducing Simon Spillett (Woodville Records, 2007, CD) with John Critchinson, Andrew Cleyndert and Martin Drew Sienna Red (Woodville Records, 2008, CD) with John Critchinson, Andrew Cleyndert and Spike WellsSquare One (Gearbox, 2013, vinyl) with John Critchinson, Alec Dankworth and Clark Tracey

The following tracks are used in this Episode:

Beer Jersey Boogaloo (Dan Shout)                                                                                    
Two Seconds to Midnight (Alan Baylock) Wigan Youth Jazz Orchestra.                           
Take Your Partners for the Blues…Tubby Hayes. 
A Time for Love…Rob Barron.                                                               
Room 608 Tubby Hayes.                   
The Second Streamer Tubby Hayes
Off the Wagon Tubby Hayes. 

Other performers at the Wigan International Jazz Festival include Claire Martin & Dave Newton, Camille Thurman with Darrell Green Quartet, Louis Dowdeswell Big Band, Mike Vax, SK2 Jazz Orchestra, Anchormen Jazz Orchestra, Durham University Big Band, Wigan Youth Jazz Orchestra, Really Awful Orchestra, Wigan Youth Training Jazz Orchestra. 

The venue for all the Festival concerts is:

THE VILLAGE ON THE GREEN Woods Road Aspull Wigan WN21PJ
 A newly refurbished venue that will provide an intimate jazz club feel.
 • The main venue seats up to 300 people and has excellent, comfortable facilities.
 • Two well stocked bars with food available.
 • Free parking and excellent disabled access.

Full details of the Festival are available on www.wiganjazzfest.co.uk Tickets are available from www.justaddtickets.co.uk